the play’s the thing….

I’ve been taking some time
to get to know myself better,
playing with soul playdough,
listening to what the shapes become,
like a second shot at kindergarten
that lets my  muchness be.

I’m a wave rider,
art maker,   star gazer,  tree hugger,   joy finder,
truth teller,   song seer,   God believer
and I’m learning to think like a farmer,
dance like a child,
cry like a girl,
love wholehearted
rest in motion,
and follow my hope.

I like sunshine and breezes,
and rivers when they ramble,
roses when they climb,
peace when it’s real,
and while I’m a dreamy soul,
I’m fierce in a fight.
I hate war
but I hate slavery more.

I’m happy when I’m pruning,
coaxing the fullness out of broken and  silenced spaces,
nudging them into healing light.
We ‘ve all got ’em,   those places
and nothing makes me quiver glad
like the strong fragile beauty
of  hearts getting free.

I like people more than paper,
facetime more than distance,
interaction more than book-writing
and playing more than perfecting.

So I’ve been un-sewing a book
that wasn’t ready to be born
and quilting pieces into playful material
for churning creative butter,
to nudge and tickle hearts childlike again.

I’ll be sharing some playhouse putty
from time to time
here
and loving it if you want to  play along too.

30 Comments

  1. Kathy on April 13, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    Oooh oooh! These playful words and happy, brighter than bright, colorful photos of flowers and art make me smile, Jennifer! You have such a warm spirit. Big hugs back to you, kath

  2. Kel on April 13, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    a second shot at kindergarten
    playdough and art

    count me in !!!

  3. Teresa Cash-Czech on April 13, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    Your words are as colorful and playful as your photos. I love listening!

  4. Susan on April 13, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    You words make me want to chose mine more carefully, to write with a poet’s heart. SOmeday perhaps I’ll be brave and surprise you xoxo

  5. Michele on April 13, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    So love all of who you are. Thank you for sharing with me:)

  6. Bren on April 14, 2012 at 6:00 am

    You know this really does need to go in the book. What a uplifting, inspiring, challenging post. There are more lines and phrases and thoughts in there to sit and ponder than I can mention. And as always love the vibrant photos and art!

  7. rachel awes on April 14, 2012 at 6:32 am

    LOVING your muchness.
    xoxox!!

  8. Amy Kelsch on April 14, 2012 at 8:30 am

    Hi Jennifer! I just can’t say enough about your writing!!!! Do you have it published? If not, lets all figure out a way to get it done!!!! Love it!

    I have been working on my own soul playdough and so appreciate your post today!!!! 🙂

  9. S. Etole on April 14, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    You splash so much colorful beauty in our world with your words and photos. Your creative crayon box must be enormous.

  10. Sue on April 14, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    Your words speak volumes and I love reading them.

  11. elk on April 14, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    this is a list filled with such joy and truth my sweet friend .. along with your photos my day is always brighter as i rest here
    ~~ thank you Jennifer for the way you share your heart~~

  12. Karen on April 15, 2012 at 8:51 am

    I love how you say things and how this sounds in my head when I read it. Like a song. A happy song.

  13. jean on April 15, 2012 at 8:56 am

    some very good stuff here…playing instead of perfecting…i likey

  14. Louise G on April 15, 2012 at 10:00 am

    I arrive
    seeking something playful
    to lift me up
    to help me
    let go
    and when I leave
    I am light
    as a balloon
    letting go
    of gravity.

    Thanks for the joyful sojourn amidst your poetic photos.

  15. Mary on April 15, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    I like how you play…
    And, are you saying your are re-thinking your book at this time, or am I reading that incorrectly?

    Thank you for your comment you left on my last post…gave me air to soar a bit.

    xxoo

  16. lisleman on April 16, 2012 at 10:59 am

    “rest in motion” – your phrase brings ideas of exercise to mind. Motion can be relaxing.
    Thanks for browsing by A Few Clowns Short – that tree you were curious about is actually crocheted.

  17. Lynn on April 16, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    Love this! Wishing I had more time to respond a wee bit more creatively, but alas, today I am a woman of few words. So “Love This!” will have to suffice. *wink*wink*

  18. Lynn on April 16, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Shoot. I don’t even know if that made sense! Ah well…

  19. missing moments on April 16, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    You have so much fun … love your playful words and photos!

  20. Marcie on April 17, 2012 at 9:17 am

    So important to take time…to remember to play! What a beautiful tribute to the simple ‘art’ and ‘act’!

  21. LindyLouMac in Italy on April 17, 2012 at 11:10 am

    An outdoor girl who loves Nature, lovely descriptions of yourself and your aims.

  22. JBR on April 17, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    More and more my little girl is playing once again. Gaining that freedom. Thank you Jen for sharing. Blessings and hugs.

  23. Anita on April 17, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    I love, love the beautiful, from the heart and to the soul of it
    words that you share here.
    Little girl me loves to twirl and twirl and twirl
    and she is so happy to have found you to twirl with, sometimes.

    xo, Anita

  24. Cousin Cathy on April 18, 2012 at 6:47 am

    Your love for life is put into words beautifully. I enjoy reading what comes from your heart. Thanks for sharing with us. (((Big Hug)))

  25. eydie on April 18, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    Your words make me want to skip, and blow bubbles, and find colorful chalk and rocks for hopscotch.
    Count me in, anytime.
    XOXO

  26. Eva on April 19, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I’m a player too, Jenny!!! Kindergarten is in my soul! LOVE your words and photos…just perfect! Thanks for saying what I’m thinking…love you….EC

  27. suz on April 20, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    ah..the act of prunning………

  28. Barbara on April 21, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    You are a beautiful soul. Period.

  29. kathryn on April 26, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    always your words are so lovely and heart felt…i always end up reading them 2 or 3 times to take them all in!!!

  30. Marcelo on May 27, 2012 at 11:11 am

    Posted on I’ve been absent for a while, but now I rmeeebmr why I used to love this site. Thanks , I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?

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